Learning how to balance a busy schedule in high school is a strenuous experience, and it can sometimes feel like you have lost all progress you have made. I understand the feeling of not completing a small assignment, feeling ashamed and upset, like you have just failed an important test.
As students have been in school for over a month now, that arduous quest to keep up with school work, extracurriculars, social events, and self-care is more than underway. I have gathered some tips for those newest to high school, freshmen, that make staying on track a less formidable goal.
Forgive yourself
Students attending universities, such as Harvard and Cornell, agree that students must be patient if things do not go as expected. It takes practice to forgive yourself for your mistakes, but the more you try, the easier it becomes. Reassure yourself that slip-ups are normal, and allow yourself to ask for leniency from others. Jaidyn LaGrange, a junior at OHS, shared reassurance for anyone who struggles with this.
“Some days you wake up and you just don’t feel like doing anything—that’s completely normal. It is okay to not be able to handle everything,” says LaGrange.
She reminded students they have helpful resources they can utilize, such as tutoring, contacting teachers, or even asking a peer. Making time to learn from these sources can be hard with a busy schedule, but productivity is still achievable.
Use a calendar
One of the best ways to be productive when you have a busy schedule is to keep an organized calendar. Your calendar should cover any commitments you have in a day: any appointments, extracurricular activities, social events, etc. I suggest online calendars like Google Calendar and myHomework, which can be accessed in a browser, or downloaded on a phone.
Once you are easily able to know what times you are busy, and what times you have free, finding time to work on school work will seem a lot less overwhelming.
Even if you have the time to work on school, the amount of work may be overwhelming.
Break big things into small chunks
I always start by breaking projects into small tasks, then labeling assignments or project tasks by priority. Then, if you are unable to get everything done, you can choose to focus only on high priority tasks.
After completing a task, some people take a break. However, that may not work for everyone. To find what works best for you, experiment with how long you work before taking breaks, what music you listen to while working, how limited your screen use is, etc.
“I give myself a bit of extra time in comparison to how long a task usually takes me. I schedule it out with exact times of when I want to complete everything,” says LaGrange.
Consider what works best for you
In order to find the best method for you to complete tasks, it is important to analyze your stress levels as you try different approaches. While some may need extra time and frequent breaks in order to not feel overwhelmed by school work, some people find it easier to focus only on their assignments until all are completed.
The CDC suggests that high stress levels can cause changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and interests. De-stress using tools like the OHS Calming Room, or simply by doing something you enjoy. You could try drawing, listening to music, going to the gym, dancing, baking, or playing a game.
Overall, I believe the best way to handle busy schedules and lots of schoolwork is to stay organized, use your resources, and forgive yourself for your slip-ups.
My name is Jessica VanVooren, and this is my second year on the 42Fifty publication staff. I am a senior in high school. I am a part of the OH National Honors Society (NHS), the National Art Honors Society (NAHS), and the Quill & Scroll (Journalism) Honors Society.
